Day Care or Not?

For now my ds stays with my sil during the day while I work, but I am considering putting him in daycare in August when school starts again. It is great having a trusted relative to keep him, but I want him to be able to grow social skills and other learning skills too. What are y'alls opinions on day care vs babysitter?

For now my ds stays with my sil during the day while I work, but I am considering putting him in daycare in August when school starts again. It is great having a trusted relative to keep him, but I want him to be able to grow social skills and other learning skills too. What are y'alls opinions on day care vs babysitter?

I prefer a trusted relative until LO can talk and give clues if they are not comfortable in the daycare environment in which they are placed. There are plenty of other ways for them to socialize- mommy and me groups, YMCA, Gymboree, the park. For the first few years LO's benefit the more from being with a bonded person and feeling loved and secure than being around other children and caregivers. However, if you need to send LO to daycare, I think it's good that it'll be after 1 year of age. For some reason I feel more comfortable with that age. And i think you said it would be just a couple days a week? Of course all of this is just my opinion.

I prefer a trusted relative until LO can talk and give clues if they are not comfortable in the daycare environment in which they are placed. There are plenty of other ways for them to socialize- mommy and me groups, YMCA, Gymboree, the park. For the first few years LO's benefit the more from being with a bonded person and feeling loved and secure than being around other children and caregivers. However, if you need to send LO to daycare, I think it's good that it'll be after 1 year of age. For some reason I feel more comfortable with that age. And i think you said it would be just a couple days a week? Of course all of this is just my opinion.

I'm having the same battle, only my relative are not always reliable so I want something more consistent. I'm thinking of doing a home daycare that has less children but still is a learning and interactive environment. plus its only 2 days a week.

I'm having the same battle, only my relative are not always reliable so I want something more consistent. I'm thinking of doing a home daycare that has less children but still is a learning and interactive environment. plus its only 2 days a week.

My LO has been daycare since 4months he's now 91/2 months. I didn't want to put him in that early but had no choice. My mom had some family stuff come up and I had to go back to work. It's nice to know the daycare is always there. Don't have to worry if they're available or not. I'm glad I did it will help the separation anxiety later on since he's going everyday. He loves the workers there and likes playing with the other children. With all the stuff they do at daycare when he gets home he's so tired he sleeps through the night without a problem. If your nervous about it start him only 2days a week.

My LO has been daycare since 4months he's now 91/2 months. I didn't want to put him in that early but had no choice. My mom had some family stuff come up and I had to go back to work. It's nice to know the daycare is always there. Don't have to worry if they're available or not. I'm glad I did it will help the separation anxiety later on since he's going everyday. He loves the workers there and likes playing with the other children. With all the stuff they do at daycare when he gets home he's so tired he sleeps through the night without a problem. If your nervous about it start him only 2days a week.

I think it depends on the person and situation. We decided to put DS in a daycare center that I worked at during
College, so I felt very comfortable. He
Goes 3 days a week, my mom does Thursdays, and I work from home Fridays. I have been very happy with the center because I had so much experience there and know the staff very well. I have seen DS grow in leaps and bounds since starting in January.

I think it depends on the person and situation. We decided to put DS in a daycare center that I worked at during
College, so I felt very comfortable. He
Goes 3 days a week, my mom does Thursdays, and I work from home Fridays. I have been very happy with the center because I had so much experience there and know the staff very well. I have seen DS grow in leaps and bounds since starting in January.

My.. I would keep lo with trusted realitive or caregiver at home. Day care doesn't change they social interaction level... they are going to go to elementary school and learn all that soon enough. While at a daycare the teacher can't give them the one on one love care and attention that an in home caregiver can. I am letting my 2. year old start head start in the fall when she's 3 but don't believe that my 9 month old needs it any sooner that that.

My.. I would keep lo with trusted realitive or caregiver at home. Day care doesn't change they social interaction level... they are going to go to elementary school and learn all that soon enough. While at a daycare the teacher can't give them the one on one love care and attention that an in home caregiver can. I am letting my 2. year old start head start in the fall when she's 3 but don't believe that my 9 month old needs it any sooner that that.

I thought I had to do daycare for lack of reliable family but ds got sick with one thing after another and was NOT getting appropriate care. I went to 3 of them and they were all hell. Found a not so great at home lady then a fabulous woman. She still watches ds and hopefully will till he is in school. She has been an absolute godsend. Ds gets to play with her two kids, learn sharing etc without being in a germy warehouse and gets his needs met by a real mom. I wouldn't trade her for anything. Please don't put your lo through daycare centers at this age if it is at all preventable!

I thought I had to do daycare for lack of reliable family but ds got sick with one thing after another and was NOT getting appropriate care. I went to 3 of them and they were all hell. Found a not so great at home lady then a fabulous woman. She still watches ds and hopefully will till he is in school. She has been an absolute godsend. Ds gets to play with her two kids, learn sharing etc without being in a germy warehouse and gets his needs met by a real mom. I wouldn't trade her for anything. Please don't put your lo through daycare centers at this age if it is at all preventable!

Is it possible for you or your sister to take him to Mommy groups so he can work on the social and development skills or set up play dates with other relatives? I would personally stick to a good thing if it's working and find ways to incorporate the other things you are looking for.

Is it possible for you or your sister to take him to Mommy groups so he can work on the social and development skills or set up play dates with other relatives? I would personally stick to a good thing if it's working and find ways to incorporate the other things you are looking for.

I respectfully disagree with several of the pps. IF you are able to find a great daycare, it can be so beneficial for your child from a socialization as well as immune system standpoint. My daughter has been in dc since 3 months and we all love it. She is a bright social little girl and I know part of it is due to being exposed to different settings in daycare. The trick is finding a dc that is good and that you like. GL!

I respectfully disagree with several of the pps. IF you are able to find a great daycare, it can be so beneficial for your child from a socialization as well as immune system standpoint. My daughter has been in dc since 3 months and we all love it. She is a bright social little girl and I know part of it is due to being exposed to different settings in daycare. The trick is finding a dc that is good and that you like. GL!

DD goes to an in home daycare - it's kind of the best of both worlds. I feel good taking her there versus a daycare center. They do activities and DD gets to be around older kids so she's learning things fast!

DD goes to an in home daycare - it's kind of the best of both worlds. I feel good taking her there versus a daycare center. They do activities and DD gets to be around older kids so she's learning things fast!

Hi There!From 4 months to 3 years 3 months old, my oldest son was taken care of by my elderly parents full time. Now, he is in all day nursery school 3 days a week, while my parents watch my 9 month old full time. Matthew had adjusted perfectly to his new setting; the only setback is he is constantly sick and building his immune system a bit late. However, it probably will only last this year. We plan to do the same with his younger brother, providing my parents remain up to the challenge! lol.Essentially, besides the thousands of dollars you are saving and the peace of mind, if you have trustworthy free day care, stick with it!

Hi There!From 4 months to 3 years 3 months old, my oldest son was taken care of by my elderly parents full time. Now, he is in all day nursery school 3 days a week, while my parents watch my 9 month old full time. Matthew had adjusted perfectly to his new setting; the only setback is he is constantly sick and building his immune system a bit late. However, it probably will only last this year. We plan to do the same with his younger brother, providing my parents remain up to the challenge! lol.Essentially, besides the thousands of dollars you are saving and the peace of mind, if you have trustworthy free day care, stick with it!

Hi There!From 4 months to 3 years 3 months old, my oldest son was taken care of by my elderly parents full time. Now, he is in all day nursery school 3 days a week, while my parents watch my 9 month old full time. Matthew had adjusted perfectly to his new setting; the only setback is he is constantly sick and building his immune system a bit late. However, it probably will only last this year. We plan to do the same with his younger brother, providing my parents remain up to the challenge! lol.Essentially, besides the thousands of dollars you are saving and the peace of mind, if you have trustworthy free day care, stick with it!

Hi There!From 4 months to 3 years 3 months old, my oldest son was taken care of by my elderly parents full time. Now, he is in all day nursery school 3 days a week, while my parents watch my 9 month old full time. Matthew had adjusted perfectly to his new setting; the only setback is he is constantly sick and building his immune system a bit late. However, it probably will only last this year. We plan to do the same with his younger brother, providing my parents remain up to the challenge! lol.Essentially, besides the thousands of dollars you are saving and the peace of mind, if you have trustworthy free day care, stick with it!

Hi There!From 4 months to 3 years 3 months old, my oldest son was taken care of by my elderly parents full time. Now, he is in all day nursery school 3 days a week, while my parents watch my 9 month old full time. Matthew had adjusted perfectly to his new setting; the only setback is he is constantly sick and building his immune system a bit late. However, it probably will only last this year. We plan to do the same with his younger brother, providing my parents remain up to the challenge! lol.Essentially, besides the thousands of dollars you are saving and the peace of mind, if you have trustworthy free day care, stick with it!

Hi There!From 4 months to 3 years 3 months old, my oldest son was taken care of by my elderly parents full time. Now, he is in all day nursery school 3 days a week, while my parents watch my 9 month old full time. Matthew had adjusted perfectly to his new setting; the only setback is he is constantly sick and building his immune system a bit late. However, it probably will only last this year. We plan to do the same with his younger brother, providing my parents remain up to the challenge! lol.Essentially, besides the thousands of dollars you are saving and the peace of mind, if you have trustworthy free day care, stick with it!

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